Colpoda inflata (sometimes called Tillina inflata or Colpoda rouxi)[1] is a unicellular organism, belonging to the genus Colpoda. Colpodeans are eucaryotic protozoans, that mainly feed on bacteria (bacteriophagous), vary a lot in size and have a funnel-shaped vestibule.
| Colpoda inflata | |
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| Colpoda inflata | |
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| Species: | C. inflata
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| Binomial name | |
| Colpoda inflata Stokes, 1884
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Description
editColpoda inflata is 30-90 μm long and is characteristically L-shaped with its oral opening, the vestibule, lying in the corner of the "L".[2] Very well-nourished individuals can also appear reniform. C. inflata has a macronucleus to which a micronucleus is attached, contractile vacuoles, an excretory pore and several extrusomes, although populations without extrusomes have been observed.[3] The ciliature of C. inflata is holotrichous, meaning that it is regularly distributed over the whole cell surface in slightly spiralling lines. With the help of its ciliature, C. inflata alternates between gliding rather clumsily and resting in one spot, circling jerkily.[2]
C. inflata feeds almost exclusively on bacteria, in rare cases on flagellates.[4] Digestion takes place within its 4-8 μm-sized food vacuoles.
Habitat
editThe species has been found in many different terrestrial habitats like animal dunghills, sewages, meadow puddles, intestines of various reptiles and amphibians, algal coatings on tree-bark, caves and rivers.[2]
Distribution
editC. inflata is distributed world-wide and has been described in the USA, Mexico and South America, Central Europe, Africa, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Reproduction
editConjugation in Colpodeans has rarely been observed, which is why they are often assumed to reproduce strictly asexual.[5]
Colpoda inflata proliferates by mitosis, resulting in cells that can either form fully developed division cysts (trophonts) or resting cysts. Resting cysts are globular and differ from division cysts by their mucous layer containing many yellow globules and their tolerance for harsh environmental conditions like low nutrient levels.[2] The encystment process lasts about 120–160 hours.[6]
Relevance in Science
editDue to the universal distribution and its cultivability C. inflata is an ideal organism for ecological comparisons and can serve as bioindicator.[7] Furthermore, a study has shown, that C. inflata is able to maintain great populations in highly polluted environments, which is why it could play an important role in biofilter technology.[8]
References
edit- ^ "The catalogue of life".
- ^ a b c d Foissner, Wilhelm (1993). Colpodea (Ciliophora). Stuttgart, New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag. pp. 84, 135–145.
- ^ Foissner, Wilhelm (1980). Colpodide Ciliaten (Protozoa: Ciliophora). Zool. Jb. Syst., 107. pp. 391–432.
- ^ Gellért, J. (1942). Eletegyüttes a fakéreg zöldporos bevonatában. Kolozsvar Univ Francisco-Josephina.
- ^ Lynn, Denis (2008). Lynn, Denis H (ed.). The Ciliated Protozoa. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 243–256. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8239-9. ISBN 9781402082399.
- ^ "www.nies.go.jp". Archived from the original on 2013-01-23.
- ^ Fabris, Clara; Soncin, Marina; Jori, Giulio; Habluetzel, Annette; Lucantoni, Leonardo; Sawadogo, Simon; Guidolin, Laura; Coppellotti, Olimpia (February 2012). "Effects of a new photoactivatable cationic porphyrin on ciliated protozoa and branchiopod crustaceans, potential components of freshwater ecosystems polluted by pathogenic agents and their vectors". Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 11 (2): 294–301. doi:10.1039/c1pp05154g. hdl:11581/231865. PMID 22011789.
- ^ Bhaskaran, Krishnakumar; Nadaraja, Anupama Vijayakumari; Balakrishnan, Manilal Vattackatt; Haridas, Ajit (March 2008). "Dynamics of sustainable grazing fauna and effect on performance of gas biofilter". Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 105 (3): 192–197. doi:10.1263/jbb.105.192. PMID 18397767.